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 Previous Cryptologist Expeditionary Warfare Michael J. Strange     Next 
  Cryptologist Expeditionary Warfare Michael J. Strange
Name: Navy Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange

Age: 25

From: Philadelphia, MO

Assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team

Incident: Navy Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in which he was riding was shot down.


About Michael J. Strange

Staff report

Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 1st Class (EXW) Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia joined the Navy in September 2004, the service said.

Strange completed training at the Center for Information Dominance, Pensacola, Fla., in April 2005, and then reported to Navy Information Operations Command, Kunia, Hawaii. He joined his East Coast-based SEAL team in May 2009.

His decorations include two Joint Service Commendation Medals (one with &lsquoV&rsquo device for valor), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, two Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, Rifleman Marksmanship Medal and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.


Fallen Philadelphia native remembered for his athleticism, smile

The Associated Press

Relatives of one of the Navy SEALS killed in the crash of a helicopter in eastern Afghanistan are remembering him as a friendly person with a sense of humor who was close to his family and always told them not to worry about him.

Military officials came to the family home in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia on Saturday to tell them of the death of Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Strange, 25, family members said Sunday. Authorities had not yet officially announced death by Sunday afternoon.

&ldquoHe loved his friends, his family, his country, he loved making people laugh. He was one of a kind,&rdquo his brother, Charles Strange III, 22, said outside the home, where more than a dozen American flags were displayed in addition to many flags planted in neighbors&rsquo yards. &ldquoHe&rsquod walk in a room and see someone sad, and he&rsquod make them smile.&rdquo

&ldquoHe wasn&rsquot supposed to die this young. He was supposed to be safe,&rdquo his mother, Elizabeth Strange, 46, told The Associated Press. &ldquoAnd he told me that and I believed him. I shouldn&rsquot have believed him because I know better. He would say &lsquoMom, don&rsquot be ridiculous and worry so much. I&rsquom safe.&rsquo&rdquo

&ldquoHe was intense, he was funny, he had that dry humor,&rdquo his father, Charles Strange, told the CBS affiliate in Philadelphia.

Two U.S. officials said Sunday that the SEALs and other troops had rushed to the mountainous area to help a Army Ranger unit that was under fire from insurgents. The rescue team had completed the mission, subduing the attackers who had the Rangers pinned down, and were departing in their Chinook helicopter when the aircraft was apparently hit, one of the officials said. Thirty Americans and 8 Afghans were killed, making it the deadliest single loss for U.S. forces in the decade-long war in Afghanistan. Both spoke on condition of anonymity, as the investigation is still ongoing.

Based in Virginia Beach, Michael Strange had been in the military for about six years, four of them stationed in Hawaii, and had been a SEAL for about the last two, his mother said.

&ldquoMichael did very well. He listened to what people taught him and he learned a lot. He was real smart to begin with,&rdquo his mother said.

Charles Strange said his brother decided to go into the military near the end of his high school years in North Catholic High School.

&ldquoHe loved and was great at the physical aspect of it. He loved the competitiveness, getting in shape and running and swimming and all of that,&rdquo Charles Strange said.
When he wasn&rsquot working, he loved snowboarding, surfing, scuba diving, running, and shooting guns on the range, and was also fond of animals, his family said.
He last visited for a week in June for his birthday, his mother said.

&ldquoWe went to Chink&rsquos Steaks for a (cheese)steak and a milkshake, and we talked,&rdquo she said. &ldquoHe had just bought a mini-coupe and he was showing me the car. It was really neat.&rdquo

He was supposed to come back for Thanksgiving for a big holiday celebration, she said.

&ldquoIt was going to be such a good time,&rdquo she said. &ldquoHe&rsquos really going to be missed by a lot of people.&rdquo

Strange also had two sisters, 21-year-old Katelyn and 7-year-old Carly, and he recently became an uncle.


Hundreds mourn Chinook crash victim

The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA &mdash A sailor who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan was remembered Aug. 18 as a man with a sharp sense of humor and an &ldquoundeniable presence.&rdquo

Hundreds of mourners attended the downtown service for Navy Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. The cathedral was draped with red, white and blue bunting in his honor.

Strange, 25, was assigned to the SEAL team whose Chinook was shot down Aug. 6 by a rocket-propelled grenade. He was among 30 Americans who died. Eight Afghans also were killed.

Strange&rsquos aunt, Maggie O&rsquoBrien, said before the service that her nephew &ldquohad an undeniable presence about him&rdquo and died doing what he loved. Strange had a &ldquosharp sense of humor and wide, warm smile&rdquo that left an impression on everyone he met, she said.

&ldquoMichael will always be remembered for being confident yet humble, for being easygoing yet having laser focus, and for being compassionate and understanding but also for standing by his values and convictions,&rdquo O&rsquoBrien said.


Died: August 6, 2011


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Prayers & Condolences For:
Cryptologist Expeditionary Warfare Michael J. Strange
BY Anonymous on Mar 13, 2012
  Michael I wish I had a chance to get to know you better, so many people speak so highly of you...Your smile, humor, honesty and caring ways will be missed by all. Although our hearts break, we find comfort in knowing we will see you again...someday.
 


Prayers & Condolences For:
Cryptologist Expeditionary Warfare Michael J. Strange
BY Anonymous on Sep 07, 2011
  I don't know much about mike , But what I do know is he'll always be remembered as a American hero
 

MEMBER OFFLINE _USERINFO send private message to
Prayers & Condolences For:
Cryptologist Expeditionary Warfare Michael J. Strange
BY John on Sep 02, 2011
  May the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you and your family forever.
 


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Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia

It's been 20 years since your passing... However, I never forgotten the day you told me I am married, I am going to have a baby, and day your son was born... You touched some many lives in different ways in your brief time on this earth in ways others can't imagine... Some people can be given a life time on this earth and accomplish nothing, and there are some people who are given a short time and accomplish so much... You Mr. Flores-Mejia aka Ricky was that person and soldier who accomplish so much in your shoft tme... As I see the days pass by, and the war seems to be a distant memory, your memory is still alive in my life, and still on this and like other days with my grandchildren I sit back like we did many times and listen to those West Coast oldies... "Never Forgotten"


Frank E. Adamski III

To the family of Frank Adamski, including his wife and daughter, my sincere condolences. I plan to make sure he is never forgotten.


Benjamin Walker

🕯️


Trevor B. Adkins

If I could go back in time I would begg you not to go I miss you so much the girls do to they talk about you all the time lots of love your sister


Adam D. Jones

Happy Birthday, Adam. You are missed so much every minute of everyday! XOXO ~143~ You will forever be in my heart and on my mind. Love always, Tammy


Laurie Cobb

She was my 3rd and 5th grade teacher. Today I'm 32 and still think about her. She was the best teacher ever. From her hair children stories to her bubbly happiness and kindness she spread. I'll never forget her. She was the teacher who had lunch with the kids in her classroom so everyone had someone to be with. She made my school experience amazing. I will never forget her.. I love you Mrs. Cobb. Sincerely, Forever in my thoughts, Alyssa (Viau) Capone


Larry E Polley Jr

SPC Polley died almost two decades ago so I don't know if this message will be seen. In honor of Memorial Day, my agency hands out cards with names of those who have fallen. This year, 2023, I received the card for SPC Polley and was inspired to look up more on him. I am thankful for his service and sacrifice. My condolences to his family. He is not forgotten.


Paul C. Holter III

Miss you brother


Alex D Gonzalez

Love you and miss you always. Since you been gone it has been hard for everyone. I know you loved what you did, and I want to thank you for our freedom. If I can have you back home and safe living your life man everything would be different. No matter how much money they would offer me I would rather have you alive and home. Money comes and go so it's not worth losing you.


Christopher D Young

hello my name is Jesus Vega I would like to give my condolences to Christopher's family and friends, I served with him in Iraq and slept in the same quarters. I have many fond memories of him. I have never forgotten his sacrifice. I would like to share that the greatest memory I had of Chris is that he would speak highly of his mom and how much she meant to him. Chris was a strong minded person and looked out for other. He was kind and friendly the he made friends with everyone. Chris was truly a great man! I sincerely apologize for not sharing sooner. but would like to express that Chris's memory will never be forgotten! though he is not with us he will always be in spirit! If this message gets to Christopher's mother I she could know she raised a great man and for that I thank you.


Jose E Ulloa

Ricky you are still in your family's hearts.


John Michael Roy Curwin

I'm doing a work assignment for school and think he should be included.


Derek L. Shanfield

Heartfelt Sympathy on the loss of your son - Semper Fi.


Marisol Heredia

Dear Marisol, You are Loved Forever...Jeff


John Charles Jenkins

In hope for your soul to be safe and in peace forever, God hold you in your wings! Amen


Todd Beamer

Your courage exceeds the unimaginable.


Steven Paul Chucknick

peace be with you


Geoffrey Perez

thank you for being in our lives, you i got to see you right before you left and i feel so blessed for tour ultimate sacrifice brother. Rest in paradise


Linda Jones

Praying for peace and serenity. God bless you as you travel this difficult path.


Kristopher J. Gould

Miss you everyday buddy. Look forward to seeing you again, one day.


Kristopher J. Gould

Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice, Kris. You are missed.


Deora Bodley

rest in peace


James David Parker

I knew James David Parker as "Dave" when he lived in Solon Ohio. We met when I moved into town from out of state. He and his group of friends were a year or two older than me. Dave was a bright beacon of hope and joy to me. I was an unsure young man in a strange place. Dave introduced me to many people and ensured his friends always saved me a seat in the lunchroom. I have fond memories of him and his friends during that time. I doubt so many people would have been as wonderful toward me without Dave's incredible kindness. I've never forgotten his kindness. I hope to be able to pay it forward someday.

Wall Of Prayers


 For Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia   For Frank E. Adamski III   For Benjamin Walker   For Trevor B. Adkins   For Adam D. Jones   For Laurie Cobb   For Larry E Polley Jr   For Paul C. Holter III   For Alex D Gonzalez   For Christopher D Young   For Jose E Ulloa   For John Michael Roy Curwin   For Derek L. Shanfield   For Marisol Heredia   For John Charles Jenkins   For Todd Beamer   For Steven Paul Chucknick   For Geoffrey Perez   For Linda Jones   For Kristopher J. Gould  
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